Election 2023: City GOP Endorses Democrat for Public Safety

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Works and Dillon Moran for Commissioner of Accounts. Additionally, Gordon Boyd was endorsed by the committee as Supervisor to represent the city at the county level.

This week, the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee announced their nomination of “three strong candidates,” said city GOP Chairman Mike Brandi. “While the current City Council and Democratic Committee consume themselves with politics and petty squabbles, the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee remains focused on what really matters: delivering candidates who will provide effective, competent, and transparent government for the residents of Saratoga Springs.”

The endorsed candidates are: John Safford for Mayor, Matt Veitch – running for reelection to a ninth term as County Supervisor, and Tim Coll for Public Safety.

Safford, a Vietnam Veteran and small-business entrepreneur, was previously unsuccessful in a 2015 bid to unseat incumbent

Mayor Joanne Yepsen and in his 2021 run for Supervisor.

Veitch has served as Supervisor since 2008, advocating for the city of Saratoga Springs at the county level.

Coll, who worked as a Special Agent of the FBI for 30 years, is seeking the position of Commissioner of Public Safety. Coll received the unanimous endorsement of the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee. He is also a registered Democrat.

“Tim Coll is indisputably qualified for this position,” said Chairman Brandi, adding that Coll will bring decades of law enforcement and leadership experience with the FBI to “repair and restore the toxic environment that is poisoning the public safety department under the current Commissioner… the Committee is proud to put politics aside to support a candidate as qualified and motivated to serve our city as Tim is.”

Coll says he decided to run because over concerns about “the potential impact of the mismanagement that currently plagues the Public Safety

Department.” Coll said after being “denied the opportunity to address the full Democratic Committee for their support,” he sought the endorsement of city Republican leadership.

“While I am a registered Democrat, I refuse to be drawn into the tribalism of Democrats vs. Republicans.”

Coll’s campaign manager is Jane Weihe, a past chair of Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee. Weihe was previously unsuccessful in her bid as city Finance Commissioner in 2007 and in a mayoral run in 1987. She is married to local political blogger John Kaufman. Coll said he plans on being on the November ballot as a Democrat with GOP endorsement.

The City Council is comprised of five councilmembers – one mayor and four commissioners. Saratoga Springs is additionally represented at the county by two supervisors. Elections for all seven seats are held every two years.

In addition to the six candidates endorsed by the city Democratic Committee overall and the three thus far nominated by the city Republican Committee, former city Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan recently announced she will be vying for a seat as Saratoga County Supervisor, and former Public Safety Commissioner Chris Mathiesen said he will run for Mayor. All potential candidates will now be soliciting signatures in order participate in the election, making for a busy Primary and Election season in Saratoga Springs.

The 2023 Election Cycle Calendar points to Primary Elections, where applicable, on June 27, with Early Voting June 17-25. The General Election will be held Nov. 7, with Early Voting Oct. 28-Nov. 5. This year, an election will be held in Saratoga Springs for all five City Council seats – that is, the mayor and four commissioners, as well as both Supervisor positions. Countywide, registered Republican make up approximately 35.8% of all registered voters, with Democrats charting 29.2% and “blanks” - or registered voters not enrolled in any partyaccounting for 27.6%.

In the city of Saratoga Springs, that balance shifts, with SARATOGA SPRINGS - Less than 15 months have passed since the start of their respective two-year terms, and the next vote-casting day is scheduled to take place more than 33 weeks away.

Cue the candidates for the November 2023 election.

Last month, the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee announced their endorsed slate of candidates for this year’s city election. This week, the Saratoga Springs Republican Committee followed suit.

The Democratic Committee endorsed each of the five current City Council members – all of whom are Democrats. Those incumbents are: Ron Kim for Mayor, Minita Sanghvi for Commissioner of Finance, Jim Montagnino for Commissioner of Public Safety, Jason Golub for Commissioner of Public Works and Dillon Moran for Commissioner of Accounts. Additionally, Gordon Boyd was endorsed by the committee as Supervisor to represent the city at the county level.

Ballston

Bruce Ewing sold property at 631 Cindy Lane to Ryan Schuette for $290,000

Gregory McGrath sold property at 13 Chesterwood Ct to Dennis Keppler for $344,900

Corinth

Patricia Stephens sold property at 231 Maple St to Sarah O’Brien for $165,000.

Greenfield

David Gurney sold property at 4333 NYS Rt 9N to Baltazar Puente for $185,000.

Stefanie Bitter sold property at 437 Coy Rd to Citimortgage Inc for $211,975

Kevin Salaun sold property at 22 Forest Dr to Murray Lawrence Realty LLC for $150,000.

Halfmoon

Rocco Maplewood Estates LLC sold property at 5201-5220 Plank Rd to Regal Apts LLC for $3,330,000.

Robin Jasmin sold property at 315 Farm to Market Rd to Bruce Tanski for $750,000

Edward Rosiak sold property at 8 Pineview to Collin Borzell for $270,000.

TP Builders Inc sold property at 4 Dutch Lane to John Moran for $674,284

Abele Builders Inc sold property at 17 Bradley Circle to Abele Homes LLC for $100,000.

Abele Homes LLC sold property at 17 Bradley Circle to Lee Ann Werner for $469,995.

Malta

Mangino’s Restaurant sold property at 101 7th St to Town of Malta for $125,000

Saratoga Springs

Matthew Scoville sold property at 4 White Birch Lane to Jeffrey Hanan for $290,000

Jeffrey Dumont sold property at 184 Church St to John Hoch for $383,000

Gregory Bruno sold property at 18 Evergreen Dr to Carmella Simiele for $575,000.

Manuel Ballestero sold property at 1,19,25 Buff Rd to Buff Rd LLC for $170,125.

Steven Hachigian sold property at 24 Kaydeross Ave W to Cody Lough for $118,750

Leann Fyvie sold property at 44 Glenham Rd to Brendan Kisselback for $507,500.

Tradewinds Holdings LLC sold property at 215 Grand Ave to John Ucles for $810,000.

Stillwater

Luther Woods LLC sold property at 23 Winterberry Lane to Jeffrey Durant for $561,089.

Luther Woods LLC sold property at 13 Winterberry Lane to Peter Judson for $406,117.

Lori Rasmus sold property at 643 Hudson Ave to Kerry Leary for $526,500

Brian Baker sold property at 8 Barbolt Ct to David Luccarelli for $272,000.

Wilton

Jessica Huggins sold property at 12 Whispering Pines Rd to

Xiaoming Yang for $227,000.

Allen Yates sold property at 12 Nicholas Dr to Andrew Wilson for $320,000.

Edie Road LLC sold property at 10 Canon Royal Rd to Scott Hladik for $190,000

MSLC Development LLC sold property at 24 Moonglow Rd to Damian Clute for $400,000.

Karen Mars sold property at 56 Rolling Hills Dr to Richard Molea for $475,000.

Michael Bannon sold property at 22 Burnham Rd to Gilbert Prieto for $800,000.